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November 12

STORYBOOKS GET A PERSONAL TOUCH FROM STORY ANTICS

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Sponsored Posts
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12
NOV

Storybooks for Heroes

My kids love storybooks before bed. Until their eyes glaze over, they fidget uncontrollably then roll out the “I’ll be right back, Dad” routine. Urgh, so frustrating. It’s like herding cats. That’s when I have to tell the book we’re reading, I’m sorry. They’re just not that into you. Harsh I know, but it’s better coming from me in person than via a text message. I’m old-school like that. So why do we keep breaking up with these great bedtime stories? The answer is simple; it’s not about ‘them’.
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November 1

ROVE MCMANUS – CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Sponsored Posts
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1
NOV

Say Hello To Your Kids Books For Me

As synonymous as vegemite and sexier than Dame Edna, Rove McManus is one of Australia’s most-loved TV Personalities. An award-winning comedian, producer, television and radio presenter and 3-time Gold Logie winner. (Wait, am I looking into a mirror?) Rove’s career success extends around the globe, hosting a number of shows in the US and voicing over twenty characters in animated films and TV shows such as Finding Nemo, Kitty is Not A Cat and Monster Beach. (Yes I am. A Luna Park mirror.)

There are more feathers in Rove’s cap than Elton John’s wardrobe. Adding Children’s Book Author to his illustrious list of credits, he now has more strings to his bow than the Philharmonic Orchestra. Publishing via Scholastic Australia, Rove’s two self-illustrated and authored children’s books, Disgusting McGrossface and Rocky Lobstar: Rocky To The Rescue, are now available on shelves in bookstores and amongst the pages of your school’s Book Club leaflet.

As a fellow cartoonist, author and father, I asked Rove about his new venture into the world of Children’s Book authoring.
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October 21

THE BIG CAMP IN – HOME OR AWAY

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events, Sponsored Posts
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21
OCT

The Big Camp In – Victoria

Bursting at its seams like Kyle Sandilands’ Levis, our car is packed to the hilt, kids faces mashed against the glass as we venture to the great outdoors for The Big Camp In: Home or Away. A Fathering Project initiative that aims to inspire and equip fathers and father-figures to positively engage with the children in their lives – for the benefit of kids. A great opportunity to spend some quality mano-akido time with the kids and get some much needed fresh air…just breathe Daddy, breathe.

The best thing is, after registering our family for #TheBigCampIn, The Fathering Project was Yoda to my Skywalker and gave me all the supportive guidance I needed. Trumpets heralded and the clouds parted as the Official Activity Program was bestowed upon me.

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December 11

TRANQUIL TURTLE: LIGHT UP BEDTIME THIS CHRISTMAS

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Sponsored Posts
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11
DEC

If you could put ‘sleep’ in a box and sell it, there would be a clambering of parents spanning the globe several times over. Like the pandemonium of the Boxing Day sales, there would be a tsunami surge of weary-eyed mums and dads who would stop at nothing to get their hands on that tranquil holy grail. And the queue starts with ME.

You think gold is a rare and precious commodity? Ha-ha-ha-ha, I laugh in your face, ‘gold’. You are but a worthless wooden penny against the rarity and value of a good 40-winks. Hell, the street-value of an uninterrupted 15 minute power-nap is beyond the computational capabilities of any super-computer. Yet, we’ll gladly mortgage our house to pay for one. (more…)
November 27

LEGO CITY HEAVY-DUTY RESCUE HELICOPTER

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Sponsored Posts, Videos
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27
NOV

LEGO®: Build It And They Will Come

Field Of Dreams has nothing on LEGO when it comes to bringing people (and families) together. Like flies to a honey pot or children to a crinkle of candybar wrappers, the very whiff of freshly-opened moulded plastic squares will have them crossing oceans and galaxies to get to it.

And when it comes to Christmas gift ideas, it’s the perfect present, hands down. And why wouldn’t it be? LEGO was awesome when I was a kid and continues to be awesome to my own kids today. And when we can #BuildItTogether as a family, it brings us all closer together than Eugene Levy’s eyebrows. There’s something very nostalgic and cool about building something fun with my kids that I enjoyed so much when I was their age. And something they don’t roll their eyes at because it’s ‘old’ (I’m looking at you, Rubik Cube). (more…)
September 4

DADHACKS FOR GETTING KIDS TO EAT HEALTHY MEALS

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Sponsored Posts, Videos
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4
SEP

Dadhacks For Healthy Eating

Every parent knows, getting kids to eat healthy meals can be a bit like Jamie Lannister charging a dragon on horseback. Ram-raiding broccoli on the end of your lance is often met with a blistering inferno of refusal. It’s a fools errand and probably, one that will consequently leave at least one of you scorched horribly.

The problem with healthy food, from a kid’s perspective, is that it tastes and looks horrible. In some cases, they’re probably right. I’m looking at you, green peas and brussell sprouts.

Well, thank heavens for Whole Kids who’ve created an entire range of healthy options for kids. An Australian-owned, organic food company created by a real Mum and Dad who believe in unjunking our food and our lives. They choose the finest organic ingredients to make the yummiest and healthiest foods for your kids. Therefore, no artificial stuff, no funny numbers and definitely, no junk. Just real food made by real people. (more…)
August 19

GET DAD A RETRO MINI THIS FATHER’S DAY

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Gadgets, Sponsored Posts
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19
AUG

Put Some Retro Style Back Into Your Music

As a child of the 80’s, music was a major part of my existence. That, and big hair (yes, at one stage in my life, I actually had it). I worked part-time as a mobile disco and nightclub DJ and beat-mixed my fantastic black plastic to the likes of ACDC, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Billy Joel and New Kids On The Block. I’d strap on my tinny Walkman cassette headphones, crank up Hewey Lewis And The News and hitch my skateboard to the tailgate of a passing 4×4 truck. Wait a minute, wasn’t that Marty McFly? Sure he made it popular but I was the true originator, at least, in my street. (more…)
April 6

LIGHTNING STRIKES BACK AT TASMANIA SUPERSPRINT

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events, Sponsored Posts, Videos
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6
APR

Lightning McQueen is Back, Y’All

The Disney/Pixar Cars Pit Stop and Lightning McQueen are back this year, at selected Supercars race days around Australia.

In celebration of the upcoming release of Disney/Pixar’s Cars 3 on June 22, the Cars Pit Stop will be the ultimate racing destination for families of all ages at the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship events this year. Disney/Pixar Cars, Mack Trucks and Virgin Australia Supercars Championship have again joined forces to bring Australian families the ultimate Cars experience. With activities for all ages, fans willbe able to see the new-look Lightning McQueen before the film releases. Plus, Mack the Transporter will be on show, creating the perfect backdrop for a family selfie! (more…)
December 14

PNP – GET SANTA ON DEMAND

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: D-scoveries, Sponsored Posts, Tips
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14
DEC

T’was the twelfth day of Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except for two little mice, perched between Mumma and I on the couch. Eyes wide as saucers, breathless with anticipation. ‘A message for me…from Santa?’ my little bloke repeated, eyebrow cocked as if Spock had just been asked if approving a second season of Gogglebox was logical. And there on the TV screen, as large as life (or Matt Preston), was the man himself…

“Santa Claus”.

Live from the PNP (Portable North Pole) console, in brilliant HD quality. And the first three words uttered from beneath his massive white beard had our boy’s eyelids snap open like over-tensioned roller blinds…

“Oh. Hello, Indy.”

He’s never watched ice-cream or scurrying ants with this much intensity. Santa then took him on a secret tour of his wondrous village and reviewed his entire year from his personal book of ‘Indy’ complete with pics of his wonderful birthday party mid year and the not-so wonderful time he drew all over his own legs with Daddy’s textas. It’s as if Santa’s elves had been keeping tabs on him all year. And then the moment of truth arrived, Santa’s Verdict. Was Indy on the ‘Nice List’ or the ‘Naughty List’?

Let’s just say, there were tears involved…and he was on the ‘Nice List’. I think the overwhelm of realising he’s an all but certain chance to get what he asked for for Christmas, was too much excitement for his precious heart.

And then it was Alice’s turn. And although she’s only just turned one, she was still transfixed and jumping with excitement as Santa reviewed her year and made a special mention about her starting to walk. Which totally blew Indy’s mind. (more…)
September 3

SPHERO 2.0 GIVEAWAY WINNER!!

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events, Gadgets, Giveaways, Sponsored Posts
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3
SEP

Thank you to everyone who entered the 40YrOldDad Sphero 2.0 Dad’s Day Giveaway. A lucky winner has been selected at random and a brand spanking new Sphero 2.0 will be sent out directly to you, just in time for Father’s Day!

There’s absolutely no pressure on the winner to name their new Sphero 2.0 after me, but, my head does somewhat resemble a similar sort of roundness. 😉

Without further ado…

Congratulations, Emma Murray!!

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